"Good morning, Prissy," Austin said in a cheerful tone.
But though his sister smiled in reply, and echoed his words, she looked tired and listless.
"Lewis is late again as usual," she said. "I can't think how he will get on at school if he goes on in this way. Miss Vernon should speak to him, or do something in the matter."
"Miss Vernon has spoken to him, Prissy, and very kindly too; but don't you think if you did, it would have more effect? Indeed you don't know into what difficulties he is getting himself; and it will just break our father's heart if any complaints of Lewis reach his ear."
"You are not afraid of that?" said his sister, now almost pale with fear. "I would not have my father vexed on any account, for we all know how his heart is bound up in Lewis."
"Will you speak to him yourself then, Prissy?" urged Austin.
"What use is there in my so doing?" she replied. "I did once, and he said something about it being all my fault, and that when mother was alive it was very different. As if," went on the girl passionately, "I needed to be reminded of how different every thing was when she was alive. I only wish I could get away from it all, and live to some purpose in the world."
Austin drew near his sister, and put his arm lovingly round her. "Prissy," he said, "don't you think if we were really doing well, the little things God has given us to do, we would be living to some purpose, and helping on his kingdom?"
Austin's grave, earnest words touched the girl's heart.
"I do believe you are helping it on," she said; "but as for me, everything seems wrong. Even in what I thought was to be my great work I have come to a standstill. I can go no further in either mathematics or astronomy without a teacher, and my father would not instruct me in either, I know."